Fulham aiming to sign Kalas and Piazon

Fulham are aiming to conclude permanent deals for Chelsea pair Tomas Kalas and Lucas Piazon in the coming weeks, according to West London Sport.

The Whites are ready to enter another of negotiations with their neighbours over the future of two players who have spent the last two years on loan at Craven Cottage. Fulham were eager to try and sign both players on permanent deals last summer but felt priced out of that option – opting to extend their loan arrangements instead.

Kalas, who scored on international duty for the Czech Republic against Nigeria earlier this week, has already suggested he would be willing to sign for Fulham on a permanent basis. The 25 year-old was not as integral to Fulham’s promotion challenge this year as he had been back in 2016/2017 – owing to a combination of injuries and the form of Denis Odoi as a stand-in centre back – but Slavisa Jokanovic believes he could comfortably make the step up to the top-flight.

The West London Sport article suggests that Fulham are able to sign Kalas for £8.5m under the terms of their current loan agreement, but the Whites are set to try and haggle with Chelsea over their valuation of a player, who has made just four first-team appearances in eight years at Stamford Bridge.

Fulham are also eager to try and tie up a deal for Lucas Piazon, the Brazilian forward, who has formed such a strong bond with the club’s supporters during his two years at Craven Cottage. The 24 year-old looks to have little chance of breaking into the first team at his parent club, but has played a key part in both of Fulham’s Championship campaigns despite successive seasons being disrupted by serious injuries. Over the two seasons, Piazon has scored 12 goals in 47 appearances and his versatility is known to be viewed by Jokanovic as a key asset.